Program seeks Council approval for an umbrella initiative titled “COVID-19-Related Research for NICHD populations.”
The current and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic due to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection highlights the urgent need for research on responses to and treatments for individuals impacted by the disease who represent populations of interest to NICHD. Much of the COVID-19-specific research funding supported across NIH has focused on adults, the elderly, and other high-risk populations. In contrast, there has been relatively little focus on pregnant women, exposed fetuses, children, underrepresented minority populations, and those with intellectual and physical disabilities. The recent discovery of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) as a severe complication of COVID-19 infection in some children highlights the importance of considering impacts of the disease in all populations. Many underrepresented and vulnerable populations of interest to NICHD are at increased risk of having comorbidities that may increase the severity of disease, and many have limited access to testing, diagnostic and care services due to disparities in provision of resources. Some members of these populations reside in shared living situations or require support from caregivers and are therefore likely to have increased risk of contracting the illness. Rapid provision of testing and diagnostic services and contact tracing are therefore essential for these groups.
This concept is therefore designed to provide concurrence for NICHD and trans-NIH initiatives that will address populations of interest to NICHD that are in need of resources and support to address the health issues and disparities posed by SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 infection. The overarching goal is to improve understanding of risk factors and associated morbidity and mortality of COVID-19 infection in NICHD populations, and promote research on diagnosis, testing, and treatment of COVID-19 in these populations, which may be disproportionately affected by, have higher infection rates of, and/or be at elevated risk for adverse outcomes from contracting the virus.
Several specific initiatives that may be included within the scope of this concept include, but are not limited to:
- Efforts to address the unique risks for those with Down syndrome and COVID-19 by the OD-funded, trans-NIH INvestigation of Co-occurring conditions across the Lifespan to Understand Down syndromE (INCLUDE) Project. Because many people with Down syndrome are likely to have co-occurring medical conditions, such as pulmonary disease, cardiac problems, obesity, diabetes, sleep apnea, and altered immune function, they may be predisposed to more severe infection with SARS-CoV-2, and may be particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 complications.
- Trans NIH efforts targeted at testing, diagnosis and care for members of underrepresented and COVD-19 vulnerable populations including children, pregnant and post-partum women, people with physical, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and those individuals who experience health disparities because of their race, ethnicity, immigrant status, sex, gender, or geography. These efforts may include programs to understand the social, ethical, and behavioral implications of testing in these populations.
- Specific studies to understand the risk factors and outcomes for Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children and efforts to better understand the symptoms, presentation, and long-term outcome of children who have tested positive for COVID-19 (symptomatic and asymptomatic), those who have been exposed to COVID-19, and those who are COVID-19 negative or non-exposed. This may include diagnostic testing, biospecimen efforts, therapeutic evaluation, and/or vaccine testing.
- Initiatives to address the impact of SARS-CoV-2 in pregnant and post-partum women and subsequent impact on pregnancy and neonatal outcomes. This could include, but is not limited to, registry development and coordination, diagnostic testing, therapeutic evaluation, and/or vaccine testing.
Program Contact
Melissa Parisi
Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Branch (IDDB)
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